The New York Knicks had one of the most successful seasons of the 21st century last year, making it to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2000.
Despite losing in six games to the eventual Eastern Conference champion Indiana Pacers, New York still had an incredible year, finishing with a 50-32 record as the East’s No. 3 seed.
Yet, head coach Tom Thibodeau, who had finished his fifth season as Knicks coach with a record of 226-174, was relieved of his duties.
Deuce McBride Says Things Got ‘Stagnant’ Under Tom Thibodeau
Many questioned the decision to move on from Thibodeau after such an incredible season, but Knicks guard Deuce McBride may have given everyone an answer.
In an interview with the New York Post’s Stefan Bondy, McBride revealed what he felt led to Thibs’ firing following a Conference Finals birth.
“Last year, we might’ve gotten a little bit stagnant, and the last couple years,” McBride said to Bondy.
“And I feel like what [Mike Brown’s] been preaching is just being able to play with pace, and it’s not just the guy with the ball. And everybody is a possibility [to score] and able to take it off the dribble, of course.”
While Thibodeau was a renowned defensive mind, his offense left a bit to be desired. Too often in the postseason last year, the offense felt like it relied too much on superstar Jalen Brunson, and it often led to turnovers or other players not getting enough touches.
That’s where new head coach Mike Brown comes in, who figures to be able to bring the Knicks’ offense to another level as he did with the Sacramento Kings’ All-Star duo of De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis.
It’ll be interesting to see if Brown can replicate the success that Thibodeau had in New York this season, as anything less than another Conference Finals appearance may cost some Knicks brass their jobs.
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